Inquiring minds want to know -- what is your favorite pet-friendly city? Please share your top choices with us, and next month we will feature our visitors' pick for the one city that truly rolls out the red carpet for pets.

Some readers have already cast their votes. San Francisco is the early leader because pets are welcome in more parks and on more beaches (as well as in stores, restaurants and hotels), than just about any city in the United States. Ana (the cute Chow Chow to your left) will give you a tour of her city. Just click on the photo to explore it with her!

Favorite Pet Friendly Cities

San Francisco, California
Charleston, South Carolina
Key West, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Portland, Maine
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee ("...nobody bothers you when you bring your pet and it is a very pet friendly city.")
Portland, Maine
Cape May, New Jersey (beach)
Asheville, North Carolina ("Just about every shop has water and treats for dogs.")
Los Angeles, California (..."lots of recreation")
Niagara Falls, New York
Staunton, Virginia
Santa Barbara, California

Last month you let off some steam, and inundated us with your pet peeves. Now that you have shaken off the doldrums of winter, it is time for some positive thinking. We're looking for some great recommendations on pet friendly hotels, and asking you to include your favorite pet perks as well. Of course, it wouldn't be fair to ask the question, without giving you one of our top choices.

The Hotel Bel Air in Los Angeles may not offer the best pet perks, but it is one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. With its incredible gardens, historic cottages, and exquisite service this special place feels more like a private club than a hotel. It just received the coveted Mobile Five-Star award for 2004. Pet under 30 lbs. are most welcome.

Favorite pet perks
Signature bed: 7%
Water and food bowls: 26%
Homemade treats: 35%
Toys: 22%
Pet Concierge: 10%

Pet Peeves -- you all have them. Sure, it's great that hotels take pets, but when they relegate you to the worst room in the place or tell you that you cannot EVER leave your pet alone in the room, it can be more than just slightly inconvenient. We've broken out your pet peeves into a few categories (there are some major themes brewing), and then provide you with some of our visitors' comments. And so without further ado.....

Pet Travelers Pet Peeves
Cannot leave pet alone in room: 5%
Pet people are given the worst rooms (Smoking, shabby furnishings, dirty): 29%
Size/weight restrictions: 11%
Charges excessive fees: 35%
Limit the number of pets per room: 4%
No place to walk/exercise dogs: 5%
No off leash areas for pets: 6%
A few irresponsible guests ruin it for others: 5%

" I have a 5 lb chihuahua and usually have to pay from $10 to $25 per night extra for him. Of course, I could do as most people do, sneak him in, but I would rather be up front, however the high cost makes "sneaking" tempting."

"The main thing that bugs me is the $50.00+ deposit in supposedly "pet friendly" motels. They are really full of "it" when they say they want pets. We also found that motels like to put you and your pets in smoking rooms even though you or your pets don't smoke."

"...not being able to leave our dog in the room (even briefly)"

"old and ragedy furniture"

"...some will only take little pets and i have a big dog."

"Our pet peeve is, the most people do not (pick up after their pets) and it gives people who travel with their pets a bad name.

"no extra charge for kids, extra charge for pets."
"...making us stay in smoking rooms!"
"They forget that humans stay there too so they tend not to be the "poshest."
"How are we supposed to eat as we cannot take pets into restaurants (and cannot leave them in the room unattended)?"

This month we ask our readers to "weigh in" (no pun intended) on the following question, "Experts say that our pets are getting fatter. Let us know what you plan to do to help your pet shed those extra pounds."
Diet 0%
Exercise 18%
Combination of diet and exercise 82%

Choice of Exercise: Walking, swimming, agility, fun activities

The big market research companies are claiming that Americans spend $31 billion on their pets each year and between $5-9 billion dollars during the holiday season. We just wanted to do a little reality check and poll our visitors to see how generous they were feeling.

$5-25: 38%
$25-50: 16%
$50-100: 16%
over $100: 30%



The Most Outrageous Gift 2003: Diamond collar
Runner Up: Car
Favorite: Toys and Treats